Peep Wars for My Peeps

I finally got a chance to put this together so everyone can learn how to have their own Peep War this Easter. I've always had the tradition of microwaving these weird little Eastery treats, but then a friend and coworker told me about this and I loved it because it just took my Easter tradition to a whole new level.  The above Peep War was the first for me and I thought it was so fantastic, that I just had to share it with you all.  If you have a hard time reading the directions in the picture, all you need are 2 Peeps, a paper plate, 2 tooth picks, and a microwave.  Set up your peeps on the plate, arm them with their tooth pick sword, put them in the microwave for about 30 seconds and watch the battle begin!  As you can see, the duck Peep clearly defeated the rabbit Peep.  He was quick on the draw and jabbed the rabbit first and even after the bunny went down, he still held onto his weapon.  Go duck Peep!  This is a great activity for the kids, for adults or the whole family.  I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did.  I can't wait til Easter this Sunday to see what other Peep Wars might happen at my house.  Feel free to share about your Peep War experiences.  I'd love to hear about it.  May your Peeps be with you!

Such a Great Day!

Today has been full of good things.  It's my dog's birthday first of all but then I came to work.  It seemed like a normal day, but at lunch we all went to celebrate my coworker/friend/neighbor's birthday by going to lunch which is always nice to get out with my coworker buds.  I came back and got confirmation that I get to go to Club 33 at Disneyland this month which is something on my bucket list.  I worked at Disneyland for 4 years and didn't even get to see in this place so this is a huge deal for me.  Wahoo!  Then I had to face my review and I wasn't looking forward to it.  I came out of my review with the highest score that i've ever gotten and my bosses even noticed that I worked hard to improve in an area that talked to me about last year and I didn't think they had noticed.  That always feels great.  I walked away happy and feeling good from my review this year.  I also found out that I get to train and learn keynote which also means I am getting a new macbook for at work with the new Creative Suite program on it.  I can manage all our Guess Store photos on it and do presentations for the Directors and VP of the department with it.  Exciting stuff!

Downey Dog Birthday!

Downey sporting his Steelers jersey

Today marks Downey's 16th birthday and my nephew Stephen's birthday..  Actually today is the day that I made up as Downey's birthday because I was lucky enough to have been able to rescue him on April 4th when he was about 4 years old.  His birthday is made up and his age is a guess too but regardless he has been the best buddy to me.  When I broke my neck and was unable to take care of him, he had to go live with my sister for 3 months and it was so difficult to be without him.  The house felt so empty.  You don't realize how much your pet is a source of comfort and companionship until they aren't around.  I know Downey's days are numbered and he is difficult to take care of now in his old age but I know I will miss all of that once it is his time.  He just had his annual exam and they now notice a possible heart murmur, he has arthritis, and he needs mouthwash to protect the remaining teeth he does have.  My poor lil guy but I will take care of him as best I can cuz he's like my furry kid and that is just what you have to do.  Today made me think of some great memories I have had with him, like a birthday party I threw for him once and all my friends came with their dogs for a great party at the dog park, and how he always loves seeing his best friend, Hercules (the Bichon that lives next door) when we go outside for walks or when he gets to go to my sisters and spend time with his furry cousin, Snicker.  If you have a pet, i'm sure they are a big part of the family so be sure to treasure all those special moments with them.  Happy Birthday to my furry companion and friend!  I love you Downey! 

The Reason For Starting This Blog

I wanted to start this blog because I wanted a place to share things about my life that I have learned along the way and talk about some of my experiences.  It is almost a journal for me of the past, the present, and the future of my life.  The passing of my father this last year made me realize that I am so blessed with the people i have had surrounding me in my life and blessed to have gone through every experience and learned the things that I have.  I also believe that since I broke my neck in October of 2010, and then dealing with the death of my father, that I am on a new journey with my eyes more open to the world around me.  I am lucky enough to have had a dad that could do anything - he could paint, he could draw, he could fix my computer, fix my car, jerry-rig whatever needed it, or  give me some good advice on just about anything.  He had so many different kinds of jobs in his lifetime that he couldn't even remember everything he had done.  My dad was so talented that he was an artist, sign painter, taxi cab driver, auto mechanic, he built chainsaws, he worked on the B2 Bomber, he was a software engineer, and til the day he died, he had always been a pastor.  I am lucky enough to say that I got my natural variety of talents and skills from my dad and that is how I came up with the name to my blog.  I am grateful for the time I got with my dad although it still feels like it was too short.  I miss him every day.  My mom is great too and she has taught me so much as well and if I miss my dad this much, I can't even fathom how much she must miss him.  I can't leave out my sister and my brother because they have been an important part of my life and life skills too and i'm so grateful for having them in my life and that we are so close.  I love my family.  I hope that my blog is something that people enjoy reading but also get something from it, whether it's understanding me, feeling understood, or you just get some good tips out of it, then i'm happy.   It will be unpredictable i'm sure because that is life and i'm going to make the most of it.